Champagne Salon Le Mesnil Blanc de Blanc 2006

Product Description:
Champagne Salon Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 2006 is a rare vintage Champagne from one of the region’s most singular and uncompromising houses. Produced exclusively from Chardonnay grown in the Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, it embodies Salon’s founding philosophy of one grape variety, one terroir, one cru and one exceptional vintage. The wine originates from Salon’s one-hectare garden and a collection of small vineyard parcels selected within Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Created only in years considered worthy of the Salon name, the 2006 represents one of comparatively few vintages declared throughout the house’s history. Warm and sunny conditions during June and July were followed by a cold, rainy August, although the vineyards remained healthy. Fine weather returned in September and continued through the harvest, which concluded on 2 October with Chardonnay displaying optimal ripeness, impressive sugar levels and finely balanced acidity. The wine subsequently spent 11 years ageing in the cool cellars of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger before release.

In the glass, Salon 2006 displays a shimmering golden colour illuminated by silver and green reflections. An exceptionally fine and persistent stream of bubbles carries aromas of white flowers, citrus zest and lightly toasted brioche. With time and air, the bouquet expands to reveal fresh hazelnut, praline, dried apricot and ripe yellow fruit. The palate combines considerable richness with incisive freshness, illustrating both the warmth of the vintage and the naturally precise structure of Le Mesnil Chardonnay. Its generous fruit and breadth are shaped by a firm, linear line of acidity that provides definition and remarkable ageing potential. Despite its concentration, the wine retains an impression of lightness, energy and finely controlled power. Champagne Salon advises allowing the wine a short period to breathe after opening and serving it moderately chilled at approximately 13–15°C. The house considers the wine capable of developing for as long as 30 years, supported by its structure, acidity and extended cellar maturation.

Tasting Notes
NOSE
– Complex and expressive
White flowers, citrus zest and lightly toasted brioche followed by fresh hazelnut, praline, dried apricot and ripe yellow fruit.

PALATE
– Rich and incisive
Generous orchard and citrus fruit, chalky minerality, exceptionally fine bubbles and a precise line of vibrant acidity.

FINISH
– Long and structured
Persistent citrus, toasted brioche and mineral notes carried by energetic acidity and refined saline freshness.

Reviews & Accolades
“This new release from a great vintage for Chardonnay in Champagne is a perfect blanc de blancs, showing a wealth of intensity from the crisp, chalky, mineral tones to the perfumed apple notes. The aromas hint at developing toastiness that adds depth and complexity. The wine is still young and it will age for years. Drink from 2020.” — Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, 100 Points

"The 2006 Salon is a very rich wine, almost uncharacteristically so. Deep and exotic the 2006 exudes richness in all of its dimensions, with myriad inflections of sumptuous fruit that fill out its ample, large-scaled frame. Today, the 2006 is surprisingly accessible for a young Salon, but it needs time to shed some baby fat. At times, the 2006 recalls the 2002, but it appears to have more phenolic intensity and overall structure. Even with all of its flamboyance and pure volume, the 2006 retains quite a bit of energy and freshness. I imagine it will be a fascinating, utterly compelling Champagne to follow over the next several decades." — Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 97 Points

 “The 2006 Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut is quite tangy and reserved by the standards of this sunny, demonstrative vintage. Offering up aromas of smoke, toasted bread, orange oil, mocha and confit lemon, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with racy acids and a concentrated, surprisingly structured mid-palate. Concluding with a long and gently empyreumatic finish, this is a fine success. This bottle was disgorged in January 2019.” — William Kelley, The Wine Advocate, 95 Points

Finer Details:
Style – Champagne, Blanc de Blancs Brut
Varietal – Chardonnay
Country – France
Region – Champagne, Côte des Blancs, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Grand Cru
Vintage – 2006
Bottle Size – 750ml
ABV – 12%